Writing: Write What You Love

So while I was at Kansas City Comic Con with my friend, showing him the ropes of “how to work a con” and all that jazz, we had a lot of time to talk.

Poor fella…

During our chats, however, he was telling me about where he got the inspiration for his webcomic (coming soon, by golly!) and how he felt a little on the silly side for where those original ideas came from. He was sheepish, downright embarrassed.

I had to laugh. Like, really laugh. DO YOU KNOW WHERE I GET MY IDEAS??

The next couple of hours was filled with discussions on the different bits of geekdom that have worked its way into what I write. What has inspired different characters. How some lines which may seem entirely random are important to ME because it’s a nod to something I love. How alot of these are likely items no one will ever notice (though I’ve had a few folks point out a couple of them – GO FANS!!), but I added them because they made me happy.

He stared at me – an entirely valid response – and chuckled to himself. “It sounds like all writing is just fanfiction.”

Well, yeah. Basically.

It’s not really obvious, and heaven knows I get inspiration from ALL SORTS of venues. It could be music or TV shows or actors. It could be a single line that sticks out in my head, and suddenly an entire character, scene, book blossoms around that one little thing.

It could just be a nod to something I completely love but no one else will likely get.

But here’s the thing, and it’s hugely important for all aspiring writers out there – it makes me happy.

Is any of it actual fanfiction?

Nope.

But crammed into book 1 is my love for history, mythology, crime dramas, and superheros. There’s references to the movie Push as well as Firefly. I flat out reference Supernatural. Hell, she even talks around Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Does Jo even know/get all the references flying around her?

Not at all.

Is that going to make me stop?

Hells to the no.

The fact is, we get our inspiration from things all around us. It could be a simple conversation with someone you run into at the grocery. (wait – what do you mean I’m the only one who talks to strangers in lines? What??) If it’s something that sparks my imagination, I take it and run.

Heaven knows there have been times when I have listened to certain tracks on repeat trying to capture the feel of a scene or character, and it’s very much a ‘Eureka!’ moment when all those pieces slide together.

I had started something on my Patreon I was calling ‘Inside Peeks.’ As that is coming to an end, I will continue those peeks here to give you a better idea of what I’m talking about.

Whatever you are writing, make it yours. Own it.

I am NOT telling you to steal someone else’s work (Please, for the love of Pete, DO NOT DO THAT!!).

But if you love something, take inspiration from it. Twist it, turn it, and make it something unique and yours.

Love what you write, my friends. It will keep you at it. And the more you love what you are doing, the more your future readers will be able to tell. This is a good thing. Passion in art is always a good thing.

So go out there, find something you love, and write the hell outta it!